Category: camel population trend

We all know that camel is very important animal, especially the driest parts of the globe, ranging from a food security animal to packing, accessibility to heritage and sport to a hobby animal.

Camel is making its space in other regions and continents both as a dairy animal (Holland, Germany, Australia, and the US) and racing animal (Australia and France), making fate for thousands of people. https://www.arabnews.com/node/1555461/offbeat

International Camel Racing Federation (ICRF)

In my point of view, the establishment of the International Camel Racing Federation is a new level of the camel development. The general assembly of the federation was presided by his highness, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Al-Faisal on 13 September, 2019 in Taif. The ICRF has regional branches and member states.

The establishment of the ICRF will bring new laurels to the camel world. It is a great door for the camel development and conservation of this precious and unique creature.

The representative of the 42 countries’ camel racing clubs participated. The federation is hopeful to reach the number of the member countries up to 69.

Pakistan is one of the important camel countries in the world, especially because of the high milk yielder types in the country. The population of the camels is now stable but the history is a witness of a dent in the population because of the bad years (severe drought and other conflicts).

Brela camel is one of the world’s leading milk camel. The camel is very docile and polite during milking.

Here I try to give a visual expression of the camel population trend in the country. In this graphic expression, the data (the year 1956 to 2012) is presented which clearly tells the trends. Apparently, the camel population trends look like stable but I really do not believe in the reliability of the data.

The camel genetic resources in South Asia is under threat, especially in the great Thar desert.

Kharani camel is found in the Chaghai-Kharan desert of Balochistan Pakistan. The best milch animal in the world. There is high variability within the breed for milk production. In the wet days of the year, when there is succulent vegetation, some specimen of the breed produce up to 38 litre of milk per day. Unfortunately, this breed is under severe threat. The main cause of erosion is the depletion of Thagaz (Halloxylon spp).

Kharani camel is found in the Chaghai-Kharan desert of Balochistan Pakistan. Known with the name of Kharan Desert, it is a mountainous sandy desert situated in the Southwestern region of Balochistan, Pakistan. The region is the cradle of the precious animal genetic resources like Kharani camel and Morak goat.

Morak goat is close to wild ancestors, resistant to diseases and owns a strong power of escape.

Take Home Message

Unfortunately, this breed is under severe threat. The main cause of erosion is the depletion of Thagaz (Halloxylon spp) which is the most important feedstuff for camels in the region. Also, there is illegal export (fertile female) to the neighboring countries, where it is slaughtered and consumed as meat. This way the erosion of this unique animal genetic resources is happening since many years. The policy makers of province should take major steps to conserve this precious animal with the involvement of the camels’ keepers. The best way of support is to conserve the Thagaz forest.

Watching is Believing

When you will watch this video, you will understand the importance of the Kharani breed, you will know the landscape/habitat and the threats to this precious camel. https://youtu.be/r4h1E7WHKds